Rowing apparatus for gymnastic exercises



.prl 1', 193). J. FALKENBURG ROWING APPARATUS FOR GYMNASTIC EXERCISES Filed June 25, 1927 Patented Apr. 1, 1930 UNITED STATES v JULI'USFALKENBURG, OF NEUWIElQ-ON-.TH'E-,BHINE GERMANY i ROWING APPARATUS FOR GYMNASTIQ EXERGIKSES i Application led .Tune 25, 1927, Serial No. 201,497, and in Germany May 25, 1927;

Gymnastic exercises are nowadays practiced generally on account of their useful effects.

f The healthy result of the rowing sport is generally known. It has already been proposed 5 to execute rowing-exercises not only on the water but also at home. The apparatus designed for this purpose are however very complicated and much too expensive to be generally adopted.

This invention relates to a rowing-apparatus for gymnastic exercises andwhich comprises a disk-arrangement controlled by a spring and exerting a strong friction-effect, in combination with a pressure-spring, and with the insertion of a ratchet wheel with counter wheel, the oars being directly or indirectly attached to said counter wheel.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows the rowing-apparatus in side elevation. Y

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1.

F ig. 3 is a top plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows the apparatus in side elevation in the'position of use.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of Fig. 4.

The apparatus consists essentially of two conical friction-disks a and b, two circular rows of teeth c and d engaging the one with the other, of a spring e and of a screw-spindle g. The lower friction-disk is conical and of solid cross section, the upper friction-disk b being hollow and having a conical bore, corresponding with thecircumference of the friction-disk a. Owing to the conical shape of the friction disks a and b a strong friction is produced when disk b is being rotated on disk a. A tubular extension f on the top end of disk b has a thickening in which teeth 0 are cut. A guide ring y' mounted on the tubular extension f above the teeth c has teeth d in itsflower end, engaging with the teeth 0. A spring e yexerts a permanent pressure upon ring so that the teeth l are normally in engagement with the teeth c. A fork it, partly embracing said ring y', is lhinge-dly fixed on the same. In the end 7c of each fork L, two of said devices belonging to one rowing-apparatus, an oar z' is attached. The tubular upwardly directed extension f of the hollowdisk projects from the ring y' so that this ring is securely guided when its teeth d are disengaged from the teeth c of disk b so that said ring is shifted in upward direction. The ring ring y' and on the other hand to preventa nut m getting loose. when the apparatus is being used.v Although the spring e and the ball` bearing are very practical, they are not absok lutely necessary for the apparatus.

Two devices as described are mounted the one at the right and the other at the left, each on a bracket n of a frame o and by means of a counter-nut p screwed onto the lower end of the screw-spindle g. Accidental rotation of each device is prevented by a pin g, projecting from the lower end of the soli-d disk a and engaging with the corresponding bracket n. In the frame 0 a roller-seat 1 is arranged and a foot-rest s is xed.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows z*- The nut m is tightenedto clamp the disks a and b the one on the other in accordancewith the energy to be exerted at the rowing.

The oars i are pushed forward, and at this movement the rings j are rotated so thatthe teeth (l disengage from the corresponding teeth c to drop into engagement automatically under pressure of the spring e. The oars are then pulled, this requiring considerable energy, depending on the tightening of nut/m. At this pulling of the oars the hollow 'disk Z) is rotated on the solid disk a, the guide-ring rotating however at the pushing and pulling of the oars. The space between the disk Z and the washer of nut m might be filled with a spacer t.

I claim 1. A rowing apparatus for gyninastic exercises, comprising a friction-resistanceV lili brake, said brake characterized by two interfitting friction cones, the outer of said cones having an enlarged tubular extension, and teeth formed on said enlarged extension.

2. A rowing apparatus for gyninastic exercises, comprising a friction-resistance brake, said brake characterized by two interfitting friction cones the outer of said cones having an enlarged tubular extension, teeth l@ formed on said enlarged extension, a ring` having teeth in itslower edge slidahly mounted on said tubular extension above said enlarged portion, and a ball hearing on the top end of said `tubular extension.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

JULIUS FALKENBURQ 

